



JUL 30 1900 


rS35 2>7 


PS 3537 






^S55PS 


.H855 


25 CENTS 






P5 








1900 








Copy 1 









PLAIN DUTY 

A POLITICAL POEM 
CAMPAIGN OF 1900 



By WILL H. SHINN 



PLAIN DUTY 



*** 



A POLITICAL POEM FOR THE 
CAMPAIGN OF 1900 



13 



**» 



By Will H. Shinn 



^* 



LA GRANGE, INDIANA 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 
1900 



1 



26821 



Libeary of Gongres- 

Two Cqpies Received 
JUL 30 BOO 

ujLimi 

SECOND COPY. 

Delivered to 

ORDER DIVISION, 
AUG 8 1900 






) 10 



72847 



COPYRIGHTED, 1900, 
BY 

Will H. Shinn. 



FHOM THE CALL PRESS, LAGRANGE, IND 



NOTE. 

The writer of this little production is not a poet. 
For proof of this assertion he invites a perusal of 
it's contents. The purpose of making the. state- 
ment in advance is to allay any suspicion the reader 
may have that the writer is an aspirant for literary 
distinction. He also wishes to disarm those parti- 
san critics who, being deficient in political wisdom 
and general knowledge, may endeavor to pose as 
erudite beings by picking flaws in this little book 
as a literary production. But the writer makes no 
claim to excellence from a literary point of view. 
He, however, believes that it is a novelty in politi- 
cal literature, and if it is instrumental in calling the 
attention of anyone to the issues of the present 
campaign he will be content, fully satisfied that he 
has done his "plain duty." 

The Author. 




'And Tbat Flag Still the Emblem 

of Freedom Shall Be." 



PLAIN DUTY. 



Columbia, my country! my song is of thee, 

Thine honor and glory mine ever shall be; 

From hillside, from valley, o'er mountain and plain, 

Shall echo, forever, sweet freedom'' s refrain 

Columbia, my country! earth's fairest domain, 
1 honor thy heroes who for thee were slain; 
Thy flag still the emblem of freedom shall be, 
Columbia, I love thee, sweet home of the free. 

— National Anthem. 

Columbia, my country! thrice hallowed of song; 
Defender of right and opponent of wrong; 
The land for which our forefathers battled and died 
And the minions of tyranny boldly defied — 
Tis of thee that I sing with a patriot's tongue, 
And I ask close attention from old and from young. 

The heroes to whom our proud country owes birth, 
And its place in the vanguard of nations on earth, 
Were patriots then — let's be patriots now, 
And guard well that freedom which they did endow; 
Let us swear by the blood of each patriot saint 
That no tyrant shall ever this heritage taint. 

Those heroes, inspired, (proven so by the sequel) 
Taught that all human beings are created equal. 



PLAIN DUTY. 



Not equal as statesmen nor toters of hod, 

But equal as heirs to the blessings of God. 

They taught, too, those heroes, sweet Liberty's 

knights, 
That each fellow mortal has God-given rights — 
The right to exist and the right to be free, 
And pursue his vocation where'er he may be. 
They taught that the people were sovereigns in 

fact; 
That ''divine right of kings" the diviuity lacked; 
That governments should not be treated as dowers; 
From consent of the governed they get their just 

powers. 

They taught that the prerogative of taxation 
Should not be invoked, without representation. 
This doctrine they taught and in battle main- 
tained it; 
Declared independence and manfully gained it; 
And their wisdom in peace equalled valor in war. 
On the national emblem each radiant star 
Pays tribute, sincere, to those immortal spirits 
Who gave us the freedom that each one inherits. 
For the sin of rebellion they won absolution, 
And enlightened the world with our great consti- 
tution. 
Of our national faith this has been the foundation 
For the hundred odd years of our life as a nation. 
'Tis that foundation yet, and though some would 

disown it, 
May the day be far distant ere we have outgrown it. 



PLAIN D UTY. 



With a rule of the people for many a year, 

We can now proudly point to an honored career. 

Some things have been done that displayed small 

acumen; 
We have made some mistakes, (and to make them 

is human.) 
But if under false leaders the people have erred, 
They have made quick correction whene'er it oc- 
curred; 
When by gross deception wrong ideas have won, 
The people have promptly the mischief undone. 
And so, in our present conglomerate plight, 
Let us trust to the people to set all things right. 
Though our national skies may with clouds be o'er- 

cast, 
Let us study each problem by light from the past. 

With but thirteen small states at the birth of the 
nation, 

We've now forty-five stars in the bright constella- 
tion; 

Then a small strip of land 'long the sea's rugged 
coast, 

Now an ocean to-ocean domain we can boast. 

We have crossed the prairies, high mountains 
climbed o'er; 

We've planted our emblem from shore unto shore, 

And it's wide, ample folds are unfurled to the 
breeze, 

Prom the turbulent gulf to the unsalted seas. 



PLAIN DUTY. 



We have grown and expanded, expanded and 

grown; 
We have reaped a rich harvest from seeds that 

were sown; 

We have cared for the things with which God did 

intrust us, 
But we heeded the dictates of wisdom and justice. 
Our growth has been natural, o'er land all contig- 
uous, 
And we've not hid our motives in language ambig- 
uous. 
The country o'er which we established domain 
Was the rich,, virgin soil of the forest and plain; 
Where the wild beast did roam, undisturbed, un- 
afraid, 
And the red man was "monarch of all he surveyed. " 
He was monarch of all, but uncivilized, wild, — 
In the language of Kipling, "half devil, half child." 
To civilize him and reclaim the rich soil, 
That God had intended for homes, did we toil. 
No war for mere conquest or lust did we wage, 
Nor did we to gratify greed so engage; 
No tyrannous act did then tarnish our fame, 
Or stain with dishonor America's name. 

We've received immigrants from all parts of the 

earth, 
And weaned them away from the land of their birth ; 
Their national customs, no matter how prized, 
They soon are completely Americanized. 



PLAIN D UTY. 



The Englishman alters his ideas of show 
And does as the Romans do here, "doneher know?" 
The Frenchman forgets all about gay "Paree," 
And prefers to remain in this land of the free; 
The German becomes independent and wiser, 
And would not change positions with Baron or 

Kaiser; 
The Jap makes an effort to do as we do, 
And John Chinaman often surrenders his queue. 
They come from all lands where the laws do 

enthrall, 
And make us good citizens —patriots, all. 

They come to enjoy Freedom's blessings, of course, 
Ungoverned by royalty, unawed by force; 
To be freed from the load of imperial sway — 
Its conquests, its taxes, its seeds of decay. 
They come to enjoy and are quick to defend 
Our tenets of freedom when dangers portend. 
With empirical knowledge the symptoms they heed 
And boldly oppose the aggressions of greed. 
First is conquest, then empire, a Caesar enthroned, 
And the sins of a latter-day Nero condoned; 
Or a modern Tiberius, cruel and fierce, 
To reign would the heart of fair Liberty pierce. 
Our foreign- born brothers have heard the appeals, 
In king-ridden lands where humanity kneels; 
They have heard the sad moan and the pitiful sigh, 
And with us in maintaining our rights they will vie. 
They have read of the deeds of our immortal sires, 
Who kindled and kept aglow Freedom's bright fires, 



10 PLAIN DUTY. 



And they've come to enjoy what our forefathers 

won — 
They will help to defend it, from father to son. 



Though our people give preference to peace and it's 

charms, 
To secure it, they've settled some questions with 

arms. 
With one whipping old England was not satisfied — 
We repeated the dose till for mercy she cried; 
And Mexico, saucy, continued to vex us 
Till we punished her right o'er admission of Texas. 
Then, as no nation had for a long time attacked us, 
We went at each other to keep in good practice; 
And in that great struggle such valor was shown, 
By men on both sides, as the world ne'er had 

known; 
But, after the shedding of oceans of gore, 
They quickly became friends and neighbors once 

more, 
And in Northland and Southland soon mingled the 

strains 
Of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Dixie's" 

refrains. 
Other nations stood dumb when they saw us 

unite, 
And for thirty odd years never offered us fight; 
Till when Spain, in her cruel and barbarous style, 
Was giving the torch to the fair Cuban isle; 



PLAIN DUTY. U 



When in spite of our friendship, she could not 

refrain 
From her devilish actions, and blew up the Maine; 
Then we said to her firmly, "You shall not go on so," 
And we shattered the throne of the infant Alfonso. 
They nobly responded, the Gray and the Blue; 
With shoulder to shoulder, in comradeship true. 
One banner waved o'er them, unsullied and bright; 
They returned it in triumph; they battled for right. 
Our soldier boys charged up the slope, Santiago, 
And rid that fair land of the blood-thirsty Dago; 
While our jackies, afloat, in a most proper manner, 
Rid the sea of the yellow, tyrannical banner. 
Then the war cloud soon passed, and the work was 

well done, 
The battle for freedom and mercy well won; 
And glad peace now reigneth o'er Cuba's fair isle, 
Her fields are most fruitful and peaceful her smile. 

May Cuba be free! And thank God for the thought! 
'Tis the fruits of the creed that our forefathers 

taught; 
And the Cubans, as free men, deep gratitude feel 
Toward those who heeded their tender appeal. 
They will be independent of all earthly powers; 
We did our full duty and credit is ours. 

But now shall we mar this Smaritan deed, 
And disgrace ourselves with insatiate greed? 
Shall the nation turn backward to monarchy's realm 
And the old Ship of State have a czar at it's helm? 



12 PLAIN DUTY. 



Shall we treat as mere vassals our newly-made kin 

And make them pay taxes with no voice therein? 

Shall we recompense kindness with haughty dis- 
dain, 

And deny them free commerce when "duty" is 

"plain"? 
Shall we overturn policies, practiced for years, 

And refuse freedom's blessings when asked for in 

tears? 
Shall we use Gatling guns and our brave boys in 

blue 
To prove that the doctrine we've taught isn't true? 
Shall we send sons and brothers to battle and die, 
And boldly proclaim that our creed is a lie? 
Shall the great Declaration be called a mistake, 
And it's author condemned as a shallow-brained 

"fake"? 
Shall the old Constitution, in these latter days, 
Be replaced entire by a monarch's ukase? 
Shall the precepts of Jesus be wrongly construed, 
Or held in abeyance while men are subdued? 
Shall Mahomet's ideas all Christ's teachings leaven 
And we say that the sword is the true key to 

heaven? 
Shall our own Uncle Samuel, to suit English fancy, 
Play the role among nations of poor Sancho Panza? 
Shall he follow John Bull, as (the weak-minded 

dote) he 
Struts around in the garb of a new Don Quixote? 



PLAIN DUTY. 13 



No, Heaven forbid it; we'll not retrograde; 

We'll see that the red hand of conquest is stayed. 

All men are God's creatures, and cursed be the 

time, 
When Liberty's instinct is counted a crime. 

"They are unfit for freedom," has been the excuse 

In ail ages, for tyrants and their foul abuse 

Of the just rights of others. They bind men with 

thongs, 
And want not for pretexts to justify wrongs. 
When merciless creatures, with selfish desires, 
To attain their base object, would quench Free- 
dom's fires, 
They use high sounding phrases, with passionate 

zeal, 
And prostitute language, their acts to conceal. 
Thus a passion for pelf, which all despots possess, 
Is termed "currents of destiny." They now pro- 
fess 
"No imperial designs" by this administration, 
But call it "benevolent assimilation." 
They engage in a warfare to gratify greed, 
And claim but to follow the Nazarene's lead; 
Professions of Christ are made louder and louder, 

All the time interspersed with explosions of pow- 
der. 

They say that the principles which we so prize, 

No change undergo beneath tropical skies; 

But the Sultan of Sulu our starry flag waves 

O'er his bevy of wives and collection of slaves. 



14 PLAIN DUTY. 



Such deceptive conduct can not long obscure; 

True men will awake and all errors abjure; 

We will treat in just manner all races and tribes, 

Resisting temptation and spurning all bribes. 

We have men, guns and powder, and fear us they 
must, 

But we'll teach them to love us because we are just; 

We will let them enjoy what they've long struggled 

for, 
And our vict'ries in peace will be greater than war. 
To that question, oft asked, amid bluster and brag, 
As to "Who will haul down the American flag?" 
We reply: When that banner waves o'er guns that 

frown 
On those who want liberty, we'll haul it down! 
We will haul down the flag, when, as Liberty's foes, 
Our armies are striving to subjugate those 
Who are fighting the fight that our fathers once 

fought, 
And are seeking the rights that our fathers once 

sought. 
We will haul down the flag when we emulate Spain, 
And American ideas we cease to maintain; 
When that banner no longer waves o'er men who 

fight 
For their homes and their liberty, country and 

right. 
We will haul down the flag and then let it be furled, 
When we march in the wake of an effete Old World; 



PLAIN DUTY. 15 



When we tread in the pathway of Carthage and 

Rome, 
We will haul down the banner and carry it home. 

We will haul down the flag, when it's meaning is 
changed, 

And it's symbols have been by the trusts rear- 
ranged; 

When the foul hand of greed it's bright stars do 
caress, 

And each stripe is seen wreathed with a mercan- 
tile S. 

We will haul down the flag, when, it's usefulness 
o'er, 

It is seen on the ramparts of Freedom no more; 

When it represents naught but the greed of some 
knave, 

We will lay it to rest in sweet Liberty's grave. 

But the time has not come for these obsequies yet; 
We will wave the old flag without hindrance or let. 
In Freedom 'twas born and by free men designed, 
And a much brighter future for it is destined. 
Though we may still enlarge its collection of stars, 

Not one shall e'er twinkle a tribute to Mars; 
We'll proudly unfurl it, on land and on sea, 
But that flag "still the emblem of freedom shall be. " 
The Emblem of Freedom! That has the true ring; 
Wherever it floats it will mean the same thing; 
Not Liberty one place, Oppression elsewhere — 
All whom it floats over will breathe Freedom's air. 



16 PLAIN DUTY. 



Porto Rico, Hawaii, and Idaho, too, 
Will read the same sign in the Red, White and Blue; 
In the bleak, frozen zone, or 'neath tropical skies, 
It will mean "all are equal" wherever it flies. 

On American mauhood we can always depend 
To correct all mistakes and be right in the end. 
Though sometimes deceived by a siren's sweet 

song, 
American manhood will right every wrong; 
Though questions arise that are seeming abstruse, 
We can trust to that manhood the right to deduce. 

We look back to a record that stands out so grand, 
Unequalled, no peer has Columbia's fair land; 
So with pride in the past and it's record of glory, 
We should write in the future a similar story. 
There are problems in view that demand, in the 

main, 
Our serious thoughts in the pending campaign. 
While determined to triumph o'er tyranny's wiles, 
And bestow Freedom's blessings on far-distant 

isles, 
We should not neglect, as our thoughts to them 

roam, 
To secure an expansion of Freedom at home. 

A dissatisfied people, bemoaning their fall, 
Are seeking the cause of the general pall 
That hangs over industry, farms and the mills, 
With bankruptcy present and consequent ills. 



PLAIN DUTY. 



Private industry languisheth, trusts are supreme, 
And Capital, organized, feasts on the cream; 
While Labor, despondent, to prosper unable, 
Must Lazarus like feed on the crumbs from the 

table. 
Such are the conditions we're facing to-day, 
And a remedy looked for to drive them away. 

As to trouble existent, who dare make denial? 
Panaceas galore have been given a trial, 
Till many good people, poor in spirit and purse, 
Resign themselves meekly and thank God it's not 

worse. 
They have witnessed the bursting of so many bub- 
bles, 
But have given no thought to the cause of their 
troubles. 

If a doctor is called to relievejsevere pain, 
And a triumph in practice he seeks to obtain, 
Ere prescribing a potion the patient to treat 
He asks for the symptoms both full and complete; 
And with such information, without further pause, 
He is quickly enabled to find the true cause 
Of his patient's condition; with which facts, essen- 
tial, 
His health-giving doses are made more potential. 

Now if our good people are sorely afflicted 
With ills most unnatural, if rightly depicted, 
We should follow the course of the medical man 
And study the case from all points that we can; 



18 PLAIN DUTY. 



With unselfish motives and eyes that are critical 
We should closely examine our status political. 
The laborer, whose wealth is in muscle and skill, 
Now out of employment, points to the closed mill; 
The false cry of "prosperity" oft has he heard, 
Till his honest heart sickens with hope long 

deferred. 
Those who by good fortune have work of some sort, 
Hold an uncertain lease on their means of support; 
For the "lock-out", dread weapon, is seen in the air, 
Suspended like Damocles' sword — by a hair. 
The private mill-owner, now forced to close down 
And send his men tramping through country and 

town, 
Sees the true situation and cause of it all, 
And says that low prices forced him to the wall. 
Combines now control the output and supply, 
And with no competition can make prices high; 
But to no person's welfare do these things conduce, 
Save the men who have plenty and money profuse. 
The farmer, upon whom all industry feeds, 
Is buying no more than he urgently needs; 
Thus affecting the market- man, merchant, me- 
chanic, 
And driving them all to the verge of a panic. 

That such things are unnatural, it must be con- 
fessed, 
In a land that Dame Nature so lavishly blessed; 
And while for the cause of the trouble we seek, 
The farmer himself on the subject should speak. 



PLAIN D UTY. 19 



His language is homespun and does not comport 

With the lah-de-dah brogue of a seaside resort; 

But his voice has tbe ring of true manhood and 
candor, 

Wholly foreign to those who fawn, flatter and pan- 
der. 

He is not a theorist, but on conditions well posted; 

He asks not for favors, but for justice, much 
boasted; 

He is no fanatic nor public alarmer, 

So listen awhile to the words of the farmer: 

"It is no fault of mine," he remarks with a sigh, 
"Of the many things needed, but few can I buy. 
The Lord has smiled on me and crops gave me 

plenty, 
But with wheat down to sixty cents, oats only 

twenty, 
It requires a strong will and a heart that is brave 
To endure such existence — the life of a slave. 
My taxes are growing— the rate is alarming, 
And each year increases the hardships of farming; 
The debts that I owe are becoming gigantic, 
And with interest attachments almost drive me 

frantic. 
I am not a statesman, possessed of great learning, 
But I understand one thing (it needs small dis- 
cerning) — 
The downfall of prices, continued so long, 
Has proved to me clearly that something is wrong; 



PLAIN DUTY. 



And to use an expression I've oft heard before, 
'There is something in Denmark decayed to the 

core.' 
The doctors of politics, since this began, 
Have prescribed many cures for the laboring man. 
We have tried a high tariff and glanced at free 

trade, 
But the price of our products kept on the down 

grade; 
And the only change seen, under rule of protection, 
Is that goods we must buy have a rising inflection. 
I cast my thoughts back to the year '96, 
When Hanna was showing the people some tricks; 
When for Bill McKinley's prosperity show 
I dropped in my ballot, for weal or for woe. 
Now Bill, you'll recall, in that notable race, 
Was away up in front— the 'advance agent's' place; 
And, converting his porch to a stump speaker's 

rostrum. 
Proclaimed to all comers his favorite nostrum, 
And promised relief from adversity's ills 
By the simplest of processes --'op'ning the mills.' 
Well, now we've arrived at the year 1900, 
And I have a suspicion that some one has blun- 
dered; 
For the show has been due now for over three 

years, 
And it is my conviction, and long had I fears, 
That the blundering ones were the tillers of soil, 
Who, in hopes of relief, in the campaign's turmoil, 



PLAIN DUTY. 21 



Were deluded by sophistry, pleasing and 'foxy', 

And supported the man who was Mark Hanna's 
proxy. 

When God, in His wisdom, a famine let fall 
On foreign wheat fields and made barren them all, 
And blessed our own farms with a normal supply, 
The price of our grain was in consequence high. 
But 'twas then that our blunder appeared more 

egregious, 
For the men we elected became sacrilegious, 
And results, that came clearly by God's holy will, 
Were claimed as the fruits of the new Dingley bill; 
And Lyman J. Gage through the country mean- 
dered 
And declared for this boon we must thank the gold 

standard. 
When grim-visaged war called the men of our land, 
And our noble boys answered with cheerfulness, 

grand, 
An abnormal draft upon products was made, 
Which in no small measure enlivened all trade. 
Now these same would-be leaders in high glee con- 
strue 
This result as a proof that their doctrines are true, 
And depend upon platitudes, cunningly spoken, 
To insure that their hold upon us is not broken. 
When the now far-famed gold fields their treasure 

turned loose, 
And the yellow stream entered our channels of use 



22 PLAIN DUTY. 



A substantial increase to our money was made; 
But 'twas God and not Hanna who came to our aid. 
Though this same big chief Marcus would have us 

believe 
That he and his braves this result did achieve, 
And no doubt ere the campaign of this year is 

ended, 
They will claim gold discov'ries by them were in- 
tended. 
Such absurd contentions make fair men disgusted, 
When coming from those whom the people have 

trusted; 
But it shows us quite clearly where we have been 

lame — 
We've been victims too'oft of a 'confidence' game. 
To be thought of as statesmen we do not expect, 
But we know how to reason from cause to effect; 
And political dupes they'll find scattered more 

thinly 
Than when, four years ago, they were booming 

McKinley. 

"I love this great country — best under the sun; 
I shed my blood free on the field of Bull Run. 
In the year, '65, when the cannons were stilled, 
And the flag had been drenched in the blood of the 

killed, 
I returned to my home from that four years of 

strife 
And hoped for sweet peace the remainder of life. 



PLAIN DUTY. 23 



But my hopes were in vain, as I afterwards found, 
For every campaign (and they fast roll around) 
I was called out again and the injunction received, 
To vote as I shot —no matter what I believed. 
Though the Union was saved by the blood of brave 

men, 
Every four years we must save it again; 
And counting from '60, when war was engendered, 
'Twas full thirty years before Lee had surrendered. 
And the people in gen'ral continued to vote, 
Without trying to think or once stopping to note 
That in Congress, assembled, our solons (essaying 
To draw close the curtains 'round games they were 

playing) 
Made laws for monopolies, trusts and combines, 
While around the producer drew closer the lines. 
And our present condition results from those days 
When 'vote as you shot' was the popular craze." 

From the light we have gained, there is but one 

conclusion, 
Though finely-spun the'ries may come in profusion; 
The people's sad plight is not due to their vices, 
But the primary cause is the bane of low prices. 
And if we desire the sick patient to heal, 
Have factories running— prosperity real, 
We must start at the bottom, at the soil if you 

please, 
Which since dawn of creation has held industry's 

keys. 



24 PLAIN DUTY. 



Make the farmer more prosperous, let him lead 

the van, 
And the mills will soon open to the laboring man. 

Glance backward, kind friends, the eventful years 

through, 
Till 73 opens up to your view; 
Then scan legislation, with care and precision, 
Till a finance enactment appears to your vision; 
Examine it closely, when once vou begin it, 
For a very few words mark the mischief that's in it. 
It changes the system of eighty-one years, 
And in place of the old a new standard appears. 
Our redemption coin by which prices are measured, 
Was changed to gold only, a metal much treasured; 
While it's co-worker, silver, 'thout prayer, psalm 

or sermon, 
Was buried at midnight by tricks of John Sherman. 
Though for eighty -one years the two metals were 

yoked, 
By this one act of Congress the tie was revoked. 

Now before you proceed the result to unfold, 
Please notice the increased demand upon gold; 
For silver, discarded, it's labors are done, 
And the work of two metals performed by but one. 
With primary money conditions are clear — 
Supply reduced half, demand greater each year. 
As to products of labor, 'tis proper, I deem, 
To show effect upon prises of this gold regime. 



PLAIN DUTY. 25 



You may call it coincidence, chance if it please you, 
But the cold, stubborn facts now appear here to 

tease you: 
In 73, prices started down hill, 
Whether product of farm or the output of mill, 
And continued upon this discouraging course, 
Very plainly propelled by some governing force. 

The favorite answer I well understand, — 

"The immutable law of supply and demand;" 

But reasoning fairly, from prelude to sequel, 

In applying this law all things else must be equal. 

Thus, with no other forces our thoughts to encum- 
ber, 

The price of all things is controlled by the number; 
If quotations be low, or the market price high, 
All things being equal, depends on supply. 
This being a fact, which we do not dispute, 
It suggests an idea that you saunot refute: 
With a moment's reflection I'm sure you'll agree 
That the farmer when selling, is buyer per se; 
One man has the money, the other the grain — 
Tis a business transaction — to make it more plain, 
It is error to say that the wheat has been sold, 
For the farmer is really the buyer of gold. 
Then, applying the law of demand and supply, 
If money is scarce of course money is high; 
And if money is high, then more wheat is required 
To secure the amount by the farmer desired. 
But 'tis popular error, in parlance of street, 
To speak of the same as "reduction in wheat." 



26 PLAIN DUTY. 



"Reduction in wheat" it would be, I will own, 

If in it's descent it had traveled alone; 

But, on the contrary, since '73, 

All values have fallen in equal degree. 

No product of soil the great force could withstand; 

They all have gone down, closely followed by land; 

While in spite of high tariffs, with schedules ab- 
struse, 

The mills have gone down with the goods they pro- 
duce — 
(Save where tariff-fed trusts, in unholy combine, 
By controlling production prevent it's decline.) 
And silver, the metal our fathers loved best, 
Has shrunken in value along with the rest. 
Value, did I say? Now, please do not confuse 
My meaning of value, in terms that I use. 
I will make explanation, 'twill no doubt suffice, — 
I have used the word "value", where should have 

been "price"; 
For values are stable, from year unto year, — 
Only measured in gold does reduction appear. 
And here comes the question, which needs but a 

mention — 
On this point alone there is based much contention; 
When this query is answered, discussion is ended: 
Have all products gone down, or has one, gold, as- 
cended? 
Go to the countries where silver is used, 
And where by legislation it is not abused — 



PLAIN DUTY. 27 



(The habits of people, their virtues or vices, 
Are not now in question, but standard of prices.) 
Go, study the case as a fair-minded man, sir, 
Then to question above give intelligent answer. 

If the ills we complain of are traced to the cause, 
Which is found to exist in iniquitous laws, — 
Laws governing finance, if rightly we view them, 
'Twould be wisdom, it seemeth, to promptly undo 

them; 
And if patriots vote for America's weal, 
The next administration will cause their repeal. 
Ere the newly-born Congress is fairly begun, 
It will re-instate silver at 16 to 1. 

There once was a preacher, in Bible lore versed, — 
Whose opinions on scripture were carefully nursed; 
And, although he'd grown gray in his righteous 

vocation, 
He continued to work with no thought of cessation; 
And his time was consumed, from one week to an- 
other, 
In giving advice to his wayfaring brother. 
One Saturday night, in his home circle seated, 
He selected a text, (none were ever repeated) 
And then mentioned the hymn which he thought, 

on reflection, 
Should be sung in the morn just before the collec- 
tion. 
Now a precocious grandson lived in the same house, 
With a mischievous nature, as sly as a mouse; 



28 PLAIN DUTY. 



And when the grandfather was wrapped in deep 

slumber, 
The boy took the hymn-book, and soon found the 

number 
The good man had chose; and respecting not age, 
Glued another selection fast to the same page. 
At church the next morning, as usual, was found 
Grandpa with his flock gathered closely around. 
"A hymn by the choir, will the audience jine it?" 
He opened his book and proceeded to line it; 
And with voice well adapted to rendering rhymes, 
Read a touching account of the death of "Old 

Grimes." 
Then over his visage came looks of surprise — 
He examined the hymn-book with spectacled eyes; 
Resign men t appeared in his face, so amazed, 
To his hearers, expectant, his countenance raised: 
"My brethren, I've preached till my eyes are 

grown dim, 
And never before haye I noticed this hymn; 
But while to this collection 'twas unwise to bring it, 
It is here, in the book, and begad we will sing it." 

In relating this joke there's an object in view, 

And I ask close attention, kind reader, from you: 

For the pending great contest the lines have been 
drawn, 

Corporations on one side, the other side brawn. 

The distress of the people, admitted, you see — 

They ask naught but justice — give heed to their 
plea. 



PLAIN DUTY. 29 



Vital issues appear to the patriot's ken; 

We should stucly them closely and meet them like 

men. 
If in parties we've trained with a doctrine appears 
That continues depression we've suffered for years, 
Let's not be like this preacher, who deserved 

laughter, hearty, 
And sacrifice honor on the altar of party. 

When, four years ago, this great issue was made, 
Between the producers and goldite brigade; 
When they went to the people and asked for sup- 
port, 
And in ways that were devious favors did court, — 
It was claimed by all men, save a few malcontents, 
(And in using this term I would give no offense) 
That the metals, both silver and gold, should be 

coined, 
And treated as equals, with no rights enjoined. 
The advantages that from such course would ensue 
Were conceded by all -save this broncofied few; 

And the question presented to each thoughtful 
brain, 

Was how best to proceed this result to obtain. 

Those arrayed upon one side with courage con- 
tended 
For action alone, and that plan they defended. 
They declared if for help upon England we'd call, 
We would not restore silver coinage at all. 
The states men(?) opposed to this idea agreed 
That an increase of coin was a national need, 



30 PLAIN DUTY. 



But condemned all proposals that did not provide 
For agreement with England — all else they decried. 
They said that by acting alone we would cause 
Interference with trade and it's natural laws; 
That disarranged values all commerce would stay, 
And in short we would soon have the devil to pay. 
They argued this long and they argued it loud; 
To the dictates of Wall Street each orator bowed, 
And claimed inspiration from heavenly fire 
Whenever his body from heat did perspire. 
They appealed to the voters in language poetic, 
And college professors gave views theoretic; 
They appealed in one voice to the m uch-favored 

classes; 
In another they plead with the down-trodden 

masses; 
They appealed'to the purse, whether empty or filled, 
And with "fat", fried from trusts, disaffection they 

stilled; 
They appealed of t to loyalty, charging rank treason, 
But they uever, no, never, appealed to the reason. 
The lines were thus drawn and the campaign thus 

waged, — 
To restore silver coinage each side had engaged; 
The one by Americans, acting alone, — 
The other, by gaining consent from a throne. 
The battle waged fiercely, and when it was done, 
The ballots were counted — the latter had won. 
They won, yes, they won, and it matters not now 
If by fair means or foul means, with money or how, 



PLAIN DUTY. 31 



They won; and the people ere this have observed 
Whether their's or the syndicates' int'rests are 

served. 
Enactments are numerous; we have laws galore, 
On manifold subjects, and looking for more. 
We have laws that are weak, and we've laws more 

substantial, 
But let us examine enactments financial. 
Is the '96 promise the party faith still? 
And is it made real in the Overstreet Bill? 

This law, which is known as "House Bill No. 1," 

Is the climax and end of a drama, begun 

When the Nation, sore troubled, lay prostrate and 

bleeding, 
And the vultures of finance were gleefully feeding. 
How runs the sad story? The greenbacks, em- 
ployed 
To crush the Rebellion, the bankers annoyed. 
They were full legal tender and did their work well, 
Till these cohorts of Satan emitted their yell. 
Then "in ways that were dark and by tricks that 

were vain", 
They procured legislation their ends to attain; 
From that hopper where ideas are ground into laws, 
Came the greenback, made weak by the "exception 

clause". 
At once then in value began it's descent, 
And the bond gods most cheerfully impetus lent, 
Till the people, unconscious, by force of this act, 
Were handling a "50-cent dollar" in fact. 



32 PLAIN DUTY. 



When that dreadful warfare was brought to a close 
The question of payment in specie arose; 
And while honest statesmen thought how to pro- 
ceed, 
The bankers took action to satisfy greed. 
Receiving their ideas from over the "pond", 
Their greenbacks they swapped for a government 

bond; 
And though depreciated and far below range, 
They went at face value in making this change. 
The next legal measure this bond crowd did edit 
Was the law which purported to strengthen our 

credit; 
Most skillfully worded, one thing to enjoin — 
The payment of interest coupons in coin. 
Then, under the pretense of lowering the rate, 
The debt was refunded. O, statesmanship, great! 
Bonds purchased with greenbacks whose value was 

low, 
Were changed to coin payment. Wall Street willed 

it so. 
Bond-holders rejoiced, for they quickly discerned, 
This gave them an increment wholly unearned; 
And, nerved by the progress they'd already made, 
They began against silver a secret crusade. 
A bill, to which we have more fully alluded, 
(And which as a part of this plot is included) 
Went through Congress incog., as it members 

agree, 
And is known as the great "crime of 73." 



PLAIN DUTY. 33 



With this last achievement, augmenting their 

stores, 
The bond-holders quietly lay on their oars, 
Depending on hirelings, both crafty and bold, 
To interpret the meaning of "coin" to be "gold". 
These hirelings, obedient, did as they were bid, 
And the plundering process most skillfully hid; 
While the people, divided by sectional hate, 
Were talking war issues distressingly late. 
On questions financial wise(?) statesmen did strad- 
dle, 
But the changes were rung on the "South in the 
saddle." 

Thus time passed away and they practiced their 

tricks, 
Till the campaign approached in the year, '96; 
When through bitter trials a lesson was learned, 
And the people awakened — the worm at last turned. 
Then followed a battle, exciting and long, 
A struggle for mastery, right against wrong; 
In which, though wrong triumphed, the vict'ry was 

bare, 
And the bond-dealing syndicates suffered a scare. 
Though elated at gaining four years more of power, 
They trembled in sight of a reckoning hour, 
When the people would rally, aroused in their 

might, 
And the clans of Mark Hanna would scatter in 

flight. 



34 PLAIN DUTY. 



For their future success they had grave apprehen- 
sion, 

Till a war with the Spaniards attracted attention. 

Then, recalling old times, they resorted to cant, 

And absorbed all the patriotism extant. 

"Oh, stand by the flag!" they did piously beg; 

While we stood by the flag they pulled Uncle Sam's 
leg. 

The contest was short and we speedily won, — 
The Spaniards quit fighting before we begun — 
But sufficient in length, that ere int'rest did wane, 
We were hotly engaged in another campaign. 
Then the clippers of coupons appeared on the scene 
With eloquent speakers and managers* keen; 
They waved the old flag and the eagle let soar, 
Till they brought perspiration from every pore. 
"There is but one issue before you!" they cried; 
"Between Spain and America you must decide; 
If the party in power should encounter defeat, 
The war will continue with evils concrete!" 
Such statements, repeated, by some were believed 
And a vict'ry for Wall Street again was achieved; 
For a congress elected grim Mars to appease, 
Proceeded at once the bond-holders to please, 
And the very first measure they placed on the list, 
Was the Overstreet Bill — let's examine it's gist: 

It enacts that the standard of value be gold, 
(Since 73 they have grown more bold) 



PLAIN DUTY. 35 



And provides for redemption, in that sort of coin, 
All the greenbacks and treas'ry notes banks can 

purloin; 
And if gold becomes scarce, Banker Gage, at his 

pleasure, 
Is to issue gold bonds for his brethren to treasure. 
(Heretofore they depended on finesse and bribe 
To secure these concessions to greed and their 

tribe.) 
It provides for refunding the national debt 
Into gold obligations. When payment is met, 
Many millions of bonds, bought with 50-cent paper, 
Will be changed into gold by this legalized caper. 
Thus a villainous plot, hatched by minions of greed, 
In the days when our country was sorely in need, 
Has been carried out by this finishing touch, 
And Columbia now writhes in the bond-tyrant's 

clutch. 

May we stop here, kind reader, a moment and ask 

you 
A question or two — we will surely not task you: 
Did you champion the cause of McKinley? If so, 
Is this what you voted for four years ago? 

One result is achieved that the banks long desired: 
By this law all the greenbacks will soon be retired, 
And all paper money, by Gage's design, 
Is placed in the hands of a banking combine. 
The banks, with self int'rest in view, can inflate 
The currency and cheerful prospects create; 



36 PLAIN DUTY. 



Or when they desire to can reverse their action 
And cause direful panics by money contraction. 

*We may live without corn; we may live without 

wheat; 
We may live without bread; we may live without 

meat; 

We may live without milk; we may live without 

honey; 
But civilized man cannot live without money. 
He may live without bread and enjoy perfect health; 
He may live without friends and accumulate wealth; 
He may live without books, education decrying, 
But where is the man that can live without buying? 

Now if currency plays so important a part, 
As admitted by ail — in field, fact'ry and mart; 
If it's use draws so clear the line of demarcation, 
Between savage state and a civilized uation, — 
How unwise the idea, how foolish the plan, 
That places control in the hands of one man; 
Or a few men at most, all combined and made one, 
With a monkey-like instinct to "gobble de mon." 
Should a few titled nobles be granted our lands, 
And our welfare be placed in their despotic hands? 
Should the sun's cheering rays be controlled by a 
few, 

And the atmosphere owned by a syndicate, too? 

Should the rain be impounded? If not, then why 
must 

Our money supply be controlled by a trust? 

♦Apologies to Owen Meredith. 



PLAIN D UTY. . 37 



This combine, financial, with influence dread, 
Of a fara'ly of trusts is the recognized head; 
And the children, developed, are sturdy and strong; 
By class legislation they've been pampered long. 
The tariff, preserved from a barbarous time, 
Has been the wet nurse of these offsprings of crime; 
Their mother in fact, if e'er mother they had, 
But the gold standard is just as truly their u dad". 
Both heartless and soulless, no conscience to sear, 
They prey on their victims from cradle to bier; 
No allegiance to country, no national pride, 
No moral restraint, — only greed for a guide. 
Conceived in iniquity, brought forth in sin, 
Their existence a menace to Freedom has been; 
A child of corruption, an offspring of lust, 
A product of evil,— the ill-begot Trust. 

When a great nation's rulers by trusts are con- 
trolled; 
When some are greed-smitten and others cajoled; 
When members of combines are given high place, 
And the government's head has a J anus-like face — 
The sequence is natural; the privileged few 
Will seek all the time-honored code to eschew; 
A Republic's grand structure will crumble ere long, 
And built on the wreck will be monarchy, strong. 
Thus at present we see our brave soldiers engaged 
In an unholy war, by the trust fam'ly waged; 
A war of base conquest to widen the sphere 
Of their evil influence— selfishness sheer. 



38 PLAIN DUTY. 



We see proof convincing of secret alliance 
With a despot, to whom our great sires bid defiance, 
Now engaged in the pastime of closing the doors 
Of freedom to mankind — the resolute Boers. 
We see vile corruptionists plying their trade 
In berths that our late war of conquest has made; 
New fields have been opened to av'rice and greed, 
And to them are hastening the plundering breed. 
We see for a large standing army a clamor, 
In the circles controlled by imperial glamour; 
The army thus formed to be used as a tool 
In coercing the masses, while syndicates rule. 

This is a Republic, sweet Liberty's home; 

Shall we now tread the pathway of Carthage and 

Rome? 
Three steps and three only at most intervene 
A country like ours and an Empire, between. 
One step is when prices continue to fall, 
And the next is when few men accumulate all; 
The next, third and last is when ruled by the 

classses, 

With a strong standing army o'erawing the masses. 

There are questions at stake in the pending cam- 
paign, 

More vital, far-reaching, and seeming more plain, 

Than have been considered in many long years — 

They are questions of liberty, life and it's cheers. 

Two steps we have taken toward an Empire; 

Shall we retrace them now and our standard place 
higher? 



PLAIN DUTY. 39 



Or shall we, by taking the third and last stride, 
Mark the spot where American Liberty died? 

The Imperial forces are playing their hand, 

With pretensions most noble and platitudes grand. 

They envelop themselves in the flag's sacred folds, 

And the bright torch of virtue each proselyte holds. 

They talk about patriotism and peace, 

And they tell how prosperity now will increase; 

With their smooth, oily speech they would lead us 

along, 
And soothe us to sleep with a lullaby song. 
Take warning, kind friends, and their motives in- 
spect; 
On the teachings of history pause and reflect. 
All despots of yore have accomplished their ends, 
In the false role of virtue — deceiving it's friends. 
Patriotic intentions have always been claimed, 
And all opposition maligned and defamed; 
Like Jacob of old, with his covering of hair, 
They impersonate Esau, but Jacob is there. 

Of course, there are some who to silver object; 
Let us place them before us their reasons dissect: 

One says, and the bugbear we frequently hear, 
That great floods of silver will quickly appear; 
And 'tis pictured in such a calamitous wail, 
We are forced to take notice somewhat in detail: 
Admitting, for argument's sake, the assertion 
That all foreign countries will make an exertion 



40 PLAIN DUTY. 



To dump all their silver on our sacred soil — 

Please tell me then what they will gain by such toil. 

Our mints will be open to them, it is true, 

But the output is coin of the Red, White and Blue; 

On one side the Eagle with feathery bodice, 

On the other American Liberty's Goddess. 

When their silver is coined and then placed in their 

hands, 
Will they take it with them to their far-distant 

lands? 
Surely not, for to bullion 'twould quickly return; 
(It is not made to eat nor intended to burn.) 
If the owner the use of his lucre desires, 
He must exchange it here for the things he re- 
quires — 
American products of fact'ry or farm; 
His coin being silver will cause no alarm. 
And in buying our goods he creates a demand 
That gives labor employment all over the land, 
And labor, employed, will give food to the wives 
And children, now eking out mis'rable lives. 
Oh, welcome this flood— a prosperity wave 
To "the land of the free and the home of the brave. " 

"But the gold will all leave us," another exclaims, 
And for this petty reason our cause he defames. 
The point is so small I will not dwell upon it, 
Though here's an idea and I hope you will con it; 
Which to illustrate fully I'll only make mention 
Of a fact that quite often has public attention: 



PLAIN DUTY. 41 



Under laws now in vogue it does frequently roam, 
And we have to sell bonds to inveigle it home; 
With proposed legislation we'll be this much ahead, 
If gold goes to Europe we'll use silver instead. 
And if gold goes abroad as our critics assume, 
Europe's money supply will increase with a boom; 
And having more cash, this should not be forgotten: 
They will buy at good prices our corn, wheat and 
cotton. 

"A fifty-cent dollar," a few still assert, 
Who will not take the trouble their brains to exert, 
For the next natur'l breath brings out this excla- 
mation: 
"Mine-owners grow rich under such legislation!" 
Now, if "fifty-cent dollar" permits of construction, 
'Tis the value, uncoined, of the present production; 
And if that is the price of the bullion to-day, 
And a "fifty-cent dollar" when coined free, you say, 
You must brush up your thinker and fairly explain. 
How, under free coinage, the mine-owners gain. 

"But we are now prosp'rous, " some phonograph 

chimes, 
'•And no one now living e'er saw better times." 
He says this with gusto to silence then sinks, 
And with Webster demeanor he thinks that he 

thinks. 

That the times have improved some we do not deny, 
And the cause is apparent, we claim, to the eye; 



42 PLAIN DUTY. 



Gaunt famine and war and discov'ries of gold 

Have enhanced the price of some things that are 
sold; 

But the question towards which our thoughts 
should now tend, 

Is, Will this continue or will it soon end? 

For all must agree when they stop to reflect, 

That removing the cause will soon end the effect. 

Who is there among you, wise prophets and seers — 

You who claim that the future so brightly appears; 

That can settle the problem with proof well in hand, 

Whether output of gold will grow less or expand? 

Who is there among you, in Christendom reared, 

Where the creed of our Savior is taught and re- 
vered, 

That has fallen so low in the service of mammon, 

As to pray to his Maker for more war and famine? 

No, friends, the improvement in times cannot last 

Long after the causes that made it are past; 

And the few now enjoying a rest from the cares, 

Relieved of the burden humanity bears — 

Should assist in the fight for their fellow-man's 
weal, 

And seek to restore a prosperity real. 

To state it in language both plain and laconic — 

The three causes mentioned have served as atonic; 

But if good times lasting is what we look for, 

We must not depend upon famine and war. 

And the output of gold, too, is far from conclusive, 

For in times now gone by it has proved most elu- 
sive; 



PLAIN DUTY. 43 



Though in one breath ifc's praises we baby-like lisp, 

In the next it appears a mere will-o'-the-wisp. 

Through all the long ages since coin was first used, 

You will note, when statistics you once have pe- 
rused, 

That production of metal, of yellow or white, 

Is very erratic; but, given more light, 

You will note the supply of the metals, as mined, 

Each year is quite stable when both are combined; 

The amount in existence proportioned, we're told, 

Is sixteen pounds of silver to one pound of gold. 

The law of supply and demand then in force, 

With equal amounts at such ratio, of course 

If demand is made equal, par value obtains, 

For what one metal loses the other one gains. 

We ask you, kind friends, to consider these facts, 

Unbiased by party, ungoverned by quacks; 

You'll endorse, we are certain, when this you have 

done, 
The "heaven-born ratio of 16 to 1." 

To the farmers whose products in price are en- 
hanced; 

To the working men who have had wages advanced; 

There's small cause for rejoicing or throwing hats 
high, 

When the rise is much greater on things they must 
buy. 

With a small per cent, gain in their incomes they 
must 

Pay much more for products controlled by a trust. 



44 PLAIN DUTY. 



u 0h," says one, "that the trusts are quite bad we'll 

admit, 
And there should be strict laws that will force them 

to quit; 
But with issues financial why should you connect 

them? 
They are evils alone, and we'll ere long correct 

them." 

An innocent colored man, so the tale goes, 
(Upon his first visit to town, I suppose) 
Was greatly astounded and much puzzled too, 
When a telephone line first appeared to his view. 
He expressed himself thusly: "O, Lawd save on' 

souls, 
But what am de pu'pos of so many poles? 
And what am dem wires fo'? I kaint onderstan'; 
Dat suahnow su 'passes de wisdom ob man." 
Another old darkey then swelled up with pride, — 
His importance he felt as he sagely replied: 
"Kaint you see, you fool niggah, self int'res' re- 
quires 
Dat de wires hoi' de poles up, de poles hoi' de wires. 
If de poles should go tumblin' de wires would soon 

fall, 
And down would go telafon, wires, poles an' all." 

And 'tis so with the gold standard now and com- 
bines — 

They have int'rests in common which reason de- 
fines; 



PLAIN DUTY. 45 



And the latter, gigantic, can not be o'ercome, 
If we to the cause of them all remain dumb. 
As do sores on the body, caused by impure blood, 
Resist local treatment, though skillful and good, 
These industrial sores that we wish to abjure, 
Can not be removed while the blood is impure. 
As the upas tree, deadly, takes strength from the 

soil, 
It's trust limbs around human industry coil; 
And to free all mankind from the fatal embrace, 
We must strike at the roots and the body efface. 

The single gold standard produced falling prices, 
And low values brought on industrial crises; 
Combines were then formed to control the supply 
And raise prices on things that the people must 

buy. 
This arrangement is pleasing to those of great 

wealth — 
Thus enabled to take from the people by stealth; 
They can open their mills or the doors they can lock 
And conceal their great profits by "watering 

stock." 

This is a fight royal, the decks have been cleared 
Of things not germane that oft have interfered; 
The lines have been drawn and who cares to deny, 
A contest of classes appears to the eye. 
And I pray you look close, the alinement well note; 
You must choose whom you'll serve when the time 
comes to vote. 



46 PLAIN DUTY. 



Around monarchy's standard is a diversified crew, 
And the babble of voices makes the atmosphere 

blue; 
To mammon they bow in most humble submission, 
"Regardless of race or of previous condition." 

Chief among them is Hanna with dollar-mark dress, 
And a pigmy Napoleon whose name you can guess; 
A most wonderful pair — a la twins, Siamese, 
When Mark taketh snuff he compels Mack to 

sneeze. 
There's the terrible Teddy with Rough Rider hat; 
Automatic machiue of the "easy boss," Piatt; 
He boasts of his record at San J uan hill fight, 
But he's only the tail of the Hannaized kite. 

There's the poetic Hay in department of State; 
He's becoming decidedly English of late, — 
Joe Chamberlain's partner at present, it seems, 
In the business of hatching Imperial schemes. 

There's Lyman J. Gage, with the gold imps about 

him; 
He is firmly convinced that we can't do without him; 
He has been a success as the agent of banks, 
And for his achievements the latter give thanks. 

There's the Sultan of Sulu in gorgeous array, 
Surrounded by odalisks, him to obey; 
Supported by slaves and a Mark Hanna pension, 
He prays to Mohammed for trust rule extension. 
There's the toad-eating sycophant, vulgar and vain, 
With a surplus of gall and a shortage of brain; 



PLAIN DUTY. 47 



Deficient in knowledge, unable to think, 
Impervious to reason— yea, Darwin's lost link. 

There's the bond- dealing crowd from the great 

street of Wall — 
Willie Astor's among them — we can't name 'email; 
Some receivers of incomes, in loyalty lax, 
Demanding protection, exempt from all tax. 

And while there are others deserving of mention, 
We deem these sufficient to call your attention 
To the int'rests involved in the contest now waging, 
The political storm that around us is raging. 
They open their mouths and I pray you give ear, 
Their favorite argument now you must hear: 
"Fool!" "Anarchist!" "Socialist!" "Idiot!" "Pop!" 
With "Repudiator!" worked in at the top; 
"Traitor!" and "Coward!" and "Old Copperhead!" 
Fall with ease from the mouth of the versatile Ted. 
Ah, their language is gentle, please don't think 

them bad — 
"Whom the gods would destroy they first cause to 

be mad." 



And who is opposed to this mongrel array? 

Just cast your eyes Southward and Westward 

away, 
Where from class legislation they've suffered so 

long — 
In solid phalanx is the "unnumbered throng;" 
The mill men and miners and tillers of soil, 
With dust-begrimed faces, the fruits of their toil. 



48 PLAIN DUTY. 



Prom the Southern plantations and farms of the 

West, 
Of American manhood the finest and best; 
They have soil the most fertile and labor unsparing, 
But the grim wolf of want all too oft is seen glaring. 

From the trust-silenced mills, all deserted and 

drear, 
The hum of whose spindles we seldom now hear, 
Men anxious to work, in the search for it roam, 
While starvation is facing the loved ones at home. 

Prom down deep in the earth, where the sun never 
shines, 

A voice will be heard from the men in the mines; 

Por their action in striking they feel no compunc- 
tion 

And suffer in silence from Federal injunction. 

They all are united in one common cause, 
And are seeking relief through beneficent laws; 
They are marching in order, without fife or drum, 
In the grandeur of manhood to vote they will come. 
They're the Nation's defenders when cannon's 

belch forth; 
They are loyal and true in the South or the North; 
During business depression they've stood bravely 

up 
And drank to the dregs the impov'rishing cup. 
They have asked not for boons, eithered fancied or 

real, 
But "give exact justice" has been their appeal; 



PLAIN DUTY, 49 



And this has been denied them, appeals are in vain, 
''The cup of deception is spiced to their bane;'' 
No justice intended, they well understand it, 
They appeal now no longer, but gamely demand it. 

And they make their demands through a leader, in- 
spired; 

In the cause of the people he never grows tired. 

He stands in the forefront and makes no conces- 
sions, 

As Washington stood while engaging the Hessians; 

He says what he means and his language is frank, 

Like Jackson when fighting the United States Bank; 

The cause is as just — situation more grave 

Than when Lincoln plead for the poor African slave; 

He is quite young in years, but a most worthy scion, 

A man of the people is William J. Bryan. 

And the people are with him, their confidence full, 

Not seeking for pelf or political "pull." 

To the insults and sneers of the Hanna brigade, 

At. the coming election, reply will be made, 

In language quite plain and in sentiment clear — 

Of ambiguous phrases you need have no fear. 

If in anticipation your mind's not at ease, 

The words to be used will be something like these: 

"You shall not on the free brow of labor press down 

A collection of thorns in the shape of a crown; 

You shall not in this land, and in manner so bold, 

Crucify mankind on a cross made of gold." 



50 PLAIN DUTY. 



You shall not lead Columbia to monarchy's vale, 

Nor cause freedom's bloom on her fair cheek to 
pale; 

You shall not destroy Liberty, as done in Rome, — 

We'll extend it abroad and preserve it at home. 

So, farewell to Mark Hanna, political pirate, 
No more as a "boss" can you pompously gyrate; 
In the slang of the urchin, "you're no longer in it," 
But can silently serve out your term in the Senate. 
Farewell to McKinley — we grieve for you, Mack, 
But the weakness is great in the bone of your back; 
If there's truth in the saying, "Each dog has his 

day," 
You're a good case in point of unfortunate Tray. 
Farewell to you, Teddy, the parting is sad — 
You've afforded the only amusement we've had; 
With Mary E Lease you might get up a strife, 
And continue to talk of a "strenuous life." 
Farewell to you, Hay, au revoir, if you choose, 
You again can commune with the poetic muse; 

"Little Breeches," "Jim Bludso," and others well 
known, 

Is a much better business than courting a throne. 

Farewell to you, Gage, and your banking scheme, 
too, 

We can find better men for that business than you; 

We'll use all the greenbacks our needs may require 

And instead of that money, yourself we'll retire. 

Farewell to you, Sultan of Sulu, poor soul, 

Your name we'll erase from the paymaster's roll; 



PLAIN DUTY. 51 



All slaves should be free, to be men we declare 'em, 

And our people objec.t to supporting a harem. 

Farewell too, stock gamblers, no more can you 
sport 

With the treasury reserve, and a bond issue court; 

You have reaped all the profit your genius deserves 

And in parlance of baseball, "we're on to your 
curves." 

Farewell to the gold bugs' imperial views, 

They can live in "the land of the free" if they 

choose; 
But their cause is now doomed to o'erwhelming 

defeat — 
80 farewell to the Anglican system complete. 

And welcome a reign by the people once more, 
And the ideas our fathers adopted of yore; 
The freedom of mankind and no favors shown — 
No English alliance — no aping a throne. 
And welcome the day when the farmer will thrive, 
When each mill will become an industrial hive; 
The ranks will be thinned in the tramping brigade, 
When the mill men and miners are properly paid. 
And welcome the day in this much-boasted land, 
When they'll not be shot down by a blood-thirsty 

band; 
When the courts will relinquish that governing 

function — 
The damnable practice of Federal injunction. 



52 PLAIN DUTY. 



And welcome the day when the trusts are de- 
throned, 

And the burdens removed under which we have 
groaned; 

When from temples of justice money changers are 
"fired," 

And tributes to Caesar no longer required. 

And welcome the day, it's bright dawn we will hail, 

When "the idols are broke in the temples of Baal;" 

When the might of the trust-king, "unsmote by the 
sword, 

Shall have melted like snow," and his standard is 
lowered. 

We'll sound the glad tidings that all men may 
hear it— 

Though it be not Utopia, 'twill come mighty near it; 

So God speed the passing of wealthy plutocracy, 

And the early enthronement of healthy democracy. 

And cheers for the men to whom vict'ry is due — 

They've stood by their guns all the long struggle 
through; 

They've unflinchingly met the assaults of the foe, 

And the garlands of vict'ry on them we'll bestow. 

Three cheers and a tiger — we'll all join in that — 

For our gallant young chief from the banks of the 

Platte; 
The masses are with him, not striving for booty — 
The. issues are clear — they will do their Plain Duty. 



